Jay DeMerit

Keynote Speaker | Vancouver, British Columbia

Professional Soccer Player
Pursuit of Reaching Goals Expert

Jay DeMerit Expertise Public Relations & Media Training, Adaptability & Agility, Burnout Prevention, Nutrition & Fitness, Work Life Balance, Personal Leadership and Mindset & Goal Accomplishment.

Jay DeMerit

About Jay DeMerit

Jay DeMerit is a former professional soccer player, United States Men’s National Team member, and former captain of Watford FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, known for leadership, resilience, and performance under pressure. His career followed an unconventional path, earning a professional contract at Watford FC after traveling overseas without representation. Jay DeMerit spent six seasons with Watford, served as club captain, and scored in the 2006 Championship playoff final that secured promotion to the English Premier League, where he was named Man of the Match. He later represented the United States at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and captained Vancouver during its inaugural Major League Soccer season before transitioning into entrepreneurship, media, and youth development.

Jay DeMerit Videos

Jay DeMerit at the Public SAlon

Are You Ready for Your Sunny Day? | Jay Demerit | Tedxvancouver

Cdl: Rise+shine

Jay DeMerit Interviews & Podcasts

Jay Demerit (risexshine) Interview at the 2023 Asu+gsv Summit

The Jay Demerit Story

Jay Demerit Gets Set for Tedxvancouver

Underdog Story of Positivity That Fuel

The Best Soccer Show: Jay Demerit Interview

JAY DEMERIT BIOGRAPHY

Jay DeMerit is a professional soccer player. Formerly of the USA National team and the former Captain of Watford FC & the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The start of his career was unconventional, to say the least. He was not on any professional league’s radar and took a large risk is going overseas to try out for different clubs. Impressing Lewington during that pre-season friendly between the Hornets and Northwood, DeMerit earned a trial and later a one-year contract at Vicarage Road.

DeMerit spent six seasons with England’s Watford FC, where he served as club captain & scored one of three goals in the 2006 Championship playoff final that saw Watford FC promoted to the English Premier League. Jay was also named man of the match for this game.

Demonstrating leadership qualities with and without the captain’s armband, DeMerit stayed at Watford after relegation and continued a formidable partnership with Danny Shittu in defence. Passion and grit shared by Jay Demerit was appreciated by his teammates making him a much respected athlete.

Following his departure from Vicarage Road in 2010, DeMerit represented the US Men’s National Team at the World Cup in South Africa, topping a group containing England, Slovakia and Algeria. From there, he became captain for Vancouver Whitecaps’ inaugural season in Major League Soccer before retirement in 2014.

Outside of the soccer field, DeMerrit took the lessons he learned and the leadership skills he developed to apply them to his career in business and the media. He owned a high-end Bluetooth stereo speaker business, “Portmanteau Stereo Co,” where he and his partner pitched and successfully made a deal with one of the Dragons.

Then came the product Rokit Logs, which are audiophile speakers handcrafted from recovered acoustic quality soft tone woods. Canadian design company Portmanteau Stereo Co. created stunning speakers called Rockit Log, made out of upcycling abandoned wood. The wood used to create a Rockit Log is sourced from abandoned logging operations in a beautiful valley along British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Corridor, Canada, where logging is widespread, and much waste exists.

Jay DeMerit was a part of three films, “Perfect Addiction”, “Katch-Up (2013)” and “Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story (2011)”. Rise and Shine is a movie about his incredible story of how he triumphed against the odds to make it as a pro Soccer player. DeMerit initially funded the movie with a Kickstarter campaign, and he says he feels a responsibility to pay that generosity forward.

Thus came the foundation of the same name, which he co-founded with his wife, Ashleigh, an Olympic gold medalist in ski cross. Rise and Shine “Captains Camps”, a proven holistic youth program that has been hosted in 5 cities and featured more than 70  professional coaches and inspirational mentors since 2016.  The Rise and Shine Foundation not only improves the proposed retreat grounds but to begin a scholarship fund. Hence, underprivileged players from across North America have access to their camps.

Jay DeMerrit embarked on a journey to empower younger generations through a free mobile app he developed in collaboration with Electronic Arts (EA), “Rise+ShineApp”, which was the evolution of his youth retreat. The app helps develop youth through gamification techniques to support youth in their personal and professional lives. The app promotes self-development through a wide range of campaigns to develop creativity, knowledge and life skills to manage challenging situations, better understand their abilities and create habits for success.

In addition to his work with his foundation, he is also an owner/partner of an interactive digital media company called ‘Songwhale’, which is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and part owner of two clothing companies called SECT Wear and Sasha Moon.

Most recently, he made his first foray into the broadcast booth to help with Whitecaps coverage on TSN while the Women’s World Cup was in Canada. A man of many interests, DeMerit enjoys painting and playing bass guitar when not concentrating on his soccer career.  Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, DeMerit attended and completed a degree in industrial design at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Jay DeMerit Topic Presentations

Jay DeMerit Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Rise & Shine: Pursuit of Reaching Goals

Men Who Take Baths : Locker Room Talk

Rise and Shine : Leading Your Change

Teamwork: The Circle Mentality

Design Mind: How the Product Designer Became the Product.

Inspire: The Jay Demerit Story

Jay DeMerit Books & Articles

Soccer Player Jay Demerit Talks About Upcoming Clinic, New App
Soccer Player Jay Demerit Talks About Upcoming

One of the best soccer players to come from the state of Wisconsin joins FOX6 WakeUp. Jay DeMerit joins us ahead of a clinic he's hosting...

Usmnt and Vancouver Star Jay Demerit Explains Innovative New Ea Sports Partnership
Usmnt and Vancouver Star Jay Demerit Explains

Former USMNT, Watford, and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jay DeMerit peels back the curtain on his new EA-backed startup while admitting his...

Jay DeMerit Speaking Testimonials

"Jay Demerit was my favorite player in that team, gutted when he left but equally proud of what he achieved in his career"

Anthony Packer

"Just a simple example of how to shine like a star. Good job Man. Respect from Armenia."

Tigran Harutunyan

"I don’t know how to explain this scenario but anyway let me say it i am really and seriously motivated by this journey and it has given me a kind of extra boost to really work hard inorder to achieve my dreams of playing professional football at the highest level in world of Football Insha Allah Allahumma Salli Ala Muhammadun Muhammadun Wassalim."

Abdulkadir Yusuf

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jay DeMerit known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Jay DeMerit is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Jay DeMerit speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Jay DeMerit delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Jay DeMerit is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Jay DeMerit is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Jay DeMerit from and where do they speak across Canada?

Jay DeMerit is from Vancouver, British Columbia and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Jay DeMerit available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Jay DeMerit is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Jay DeMerit deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Jay DeMerit may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Jay DeMerit to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Jay DeMerit is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Jay DeMerit for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Jay DeMerit is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Jay DeMerit as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Jay DeMerit keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Jay DeMerit for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Jay DeMerit may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Jay DeMerit for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Jay DeMerit should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Jay DeMerit represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Jay DeMerit is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More